Another Alabama defender to pass on draft, this time Ryan Anderson

Alabama redshirt junior linebacker Ryan Anderson announced he would return for his senior season Thursday. Anderson is expected to start at linebacker next season in the absence of linebackers Denzel Devall and Dillon Lee on 2016’s roster.

Anderson did not start in 2015 but did play in 13 games, recorded 37 tackles, 11.5 tackles-for-loss, six sacks and forced two fumbles. The junior did the majority of this damage during the second half of the season and played a key role in the defense’s dominant finish on the rule to the national title.

During the Tennessee game, Anderson made the play of the game, as he strip-sacked Joshua Dobbs to seal the 19-14 victory over the Volunteers.